Separable fastener stringers employing separated coupled scoops



March 6, 1956 L. H. MO

SEPARABLE FASTENER RIN 2,736,940 INGERS EMPLOYING SEPARATED 00 ED scooPs2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 51 1951 ATTORNE? L. H. MORIN 2,736,940 EFASTENER STRINGERS EMPLOYING EPARATED COUPLED scoops 2 Sheets-Sheet 2March 6,. 1956 SEPARABI Filed Oct. 31, 1951 INVENTOR LOUIS H. MORIN BY I0 ATTORNEY United States PatentOi SEPARABLE F ASTENER STRINGERSEMPLOYING SEPARATED COUPLED SCOOPS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y.

Application October 31, 1951, Serial No. 254,040

8 Claims. (Cl. 24205.13)

This invention relates to separable fasteners, wherein the stringershave scoops spaced longitudinally thereof and, wherein, the scoops ofopposed stringers are directly opposed and coupled with each other and,wherein, no coupling engagement is provided between adjacent scoops sothat, in the resulting fastener, a definite spacing is maintainedbetween the pairs of coupled scoops longitudinally of the stringer. Moreparticularly, the invention deals with a scoop construction, wherein asingle stringer may be utilized in forming a complete fastener and,wherein, the structure of the scoop lends itself to the use of diesproduced by powder metallurgy, whereby die costs in production offasteners of the kind under consideration are materially reduced.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with'the accompanyingdrawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a portion of two stringers showing two pairs ofcoupled scoops on the stringers.

Fig. 2 is a section substantialy on the line 22 of Fig. 1, with part ofthe construction broken away and in section.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view ofone of the scoops of thestringer shown at the left of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one of the scoops shown onthe stringer at the right of Fig. 1.

n Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modification.

Fig. 6 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, showing the same modification asillustrated in Fig. 5. I

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an angular arrangement of themounting end portion of the scoops on a pair. of stringers.

Fig. 8 is a side view of segmental portions of a pair of scoops inangular relationship to each other and illustrating another form of thescoop structure.

Fig. 9 is diagrammatic perspective view of the lefthand scoop ,of Fig.8.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the righthand scoop ofFig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a view, similar to Fig. 7, showing another form of scoopstructure; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, substantially on the line 12- 12 of Fig.11, showing the scoops detached with part of the construction insection.

In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, I have shown one form of construction, inwhich two beaded stringer tapes 15, 15' are employed and spacedlongitudinally of the edge of the tape 15 are disposed a series ofsimilar scoops 16, the scoops 16' of the companion stringer 15 beingidentical to the scoops 16 and simply arranged in a reversedrelationship thereto in establishing the coupling engagement.

Each scoop 16, 16 has, at one side thereof, an outwardly projectinghook-shaped male coupling head or member 17, 17' having a recessed lowersurface 18, 18'

I each other centrally of the scoop to retain the scoop whereas the rib22' is adapted to enter the recess 18 of the head 17.

The recess, or female coupling portion 20, 21', is also partially formedby an outwardly projecting flange or shoulder 23, 23' which-forms a malecoupling element of the scoop and the opposite side of the scoop isrecessed,

as seen at 24, 24' at the upper portion of the head17, 17', so as toreceive the coupling member of the opposed scoop. In other words, thecoupling member 23 enters the recess 24' of the scoop 16; whereas, themember 23' enters the recess 24 of the scoop 16. This establishes adirect coupling engagement of the members 23, 23 with against transverseseparation. This same result is, of course, accomplished by engagementof the adjacent surfaces of the heads 17, 17' with each other. However,the heads 17, 17 establish the engagement in one direction; whereas, themembers 23, 23 establish the engagement in the opposite direction.

The adjacent surfaces of the heads 17, 17, as well as the members 23, 23will be flared outwardly, so as to insure and simplify couplingengagement of opposed In this connection, it will be noted from a contheheads 17, 1'7 and the recesses 20, 20 flare outwardly to the sides ofthe scoops to facilitate bending of the stringers, keeping in mind that,by reason of the wide spacing of the coupled scoops on the stringertapes, an

fitinuously engaged scoop column. As will appear from portions 33, 33'are concerned, are the same as the couand a rounded upper surface 19,19'. At the opposite a consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawing, one pairof scoops 16, 16' are spaced from and totally independent of theadjacent pair of similar scoops.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, I have shown perspective views, similarto Figs. 3 and 4, of a modification in thescoop structure and, in thesefigures, 25, 25' represent scoops generally the same as the scoops 16,16 with the exception that the coupling heads 26, 26 are modified incontour as are also the contour of the recesses 27, 27'

.and the coupling rib 23, 28 is also modified in its contour,particularly in the contraction of the outer edge portion of said rib28, 28" to a slight extent, as indicated at 29, 29 to facilitatecoupling engagement of the scoops. The coupling rib 28, 28' is alsolonger, i. e., projects forwardly more than the rib 22, 22' so that 28overlaps 28 to retain the coupled scoops against transverse separation.These scoops have the female coupling portions, or sockets, 30, 30'generally similar to the sockets 20, 20'.

By overlapping 28, 28, I have also dispensed with the coupling members23, 23 in Figs. 5 and 6. In other words, the upper edge portions 31, 31'of the scoop is substantially transversely straight, aside frorntheslight taper, and these edge portions will be in close proximity whenthe scoops are coupled together.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing, I have shown a modification of theconstruction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, wherein scoops 32, 32' are employedwhich, as far as the coupling end pling end portions of the scoops shownin Figs. 5 and 6 and are modified solely to the extent that the mountingend portions 34, 34' are disposed on the beaded tapes 35, 35' in anangular direction forming a chevron, or

herring-bone type of scoop structure. As the scoops 32,

Patented Mar. 6, 1956 I an igen i 32 are otherwise of the same form, nofurtherdetailed description will be given.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawing, 1 have shown a still furthermodification of the. structure shown in- Figs. 1: to 7, whe ein scoops36, 36' have rounded coupling members 37,, 37" with deeply roundedrecesses 38, 38 on the under-surfaces thereof which are. adapted to.receive upwardly extended rounded. coupling. members 39, 39 of theopposed stringers.

.The' members 39, 33 partially form the sockets, or female couplingportions 49, 40" for reception of the male couplings 37, 37." and these.recesses extend deeply-- into. the body of the. scoop and have. upwardlyand outwardlyextended. rounded surfaces. 41, 41' which substantially.conform to. the upper rounded surfaces 42, 42 of the. members 37, 37'.It will be apparent, however, from a consideration of Fig. 8 of thedrawing, in which the scoops are indicated as angularly disposed, thatthe coupling. members 37:, 37', in entering the female couplingportionsor. sockets 40, are free toswi-ngthereinto, whilethe. upwardlycurved projections 39-, 39 are free to pass into, the. recesses 38, 38'.

It: will be understood that, in the respective coupling engagements,3.7! enters 4012\nd. 37 enters 40'; whereas, 316 1116118 38 and. 395enters 38. The scoopstructure of the type and kind illustrated in. Figs.8- to 10, inclusive, will insure. easy coupling. engagement betweenopposed scoops of the. stringers.

In. Figs. 1 1 and 1 2 of the drawing, I have shown a modification of theconstruction shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, wherein scoops 43, 44. areemployed and disposed upon tapes 45, 46,.the mounting end portions 47,48 ofthe scoopsbeingangularly disposed and; with this-construction, itwill be understood that two differentstringers are employed, that is. tosay, a left stringer and a right stringer in establishing thecouplingengagement.

The stringer 45. with the scoops 43 thereon have transversefemalecouplingportions 49 extending the full'width of; the. scoop, as.seen. in Fig. 12, the female coupling portion being. partially formedby'an upwardly extending rounded coupling member 50 at the lowerport-ion thereof and; an. outwardly projecting. shoulder or flange -1 atthe upper portion thereof. The member 50- and: flange 51 havea verticalrecess 52 0pening outwa-rdly through the edge of: thescoop; the. scoops44 of the stringer 46 have an outwardly. projecting and downwardlycurvedmale coupling, member 53 extending the full width of-the scoop,as-seen in Fig. 12 and, at theupper-portion oft-he couplingmembe'r, isaprojecting lugor couplingelement 54, whichis substantially. half=roundin cross-sectional form, note- Fig, l2; to fit snugly. in. thehalf-roundrecess 52- in the scoop. 43. stringer 45; will be. of the sameconstruction, as well as allgs'coops 4.4 of the stringer 46.

The. male. coupling; member 53 has a recess 55 on, the under-surfacethereof: for reception of the member 50 in coupling. the. scoops againstpull-apart separation;-

whereas, the coupling-member, or element, 54,, engaging.

the recess 52, retains the coupled scoops against trans: verse.separation,

It will beapparent from a consideration of Fig. Zof;

the drawingthat tapers are provided on the surfaces; oftheseveralscoops, which tapers areexaggeratedin Fig, 2

ofithe drawing, and are also exaggerated in thelarge pen.

sp ectiv showings in Figs. 2 to 6, inclusiverwhereas, they are not shownin Figs, 9 and 10, thelatter figures showing whatmight be considered thenormal coupling engage ment which brings adjacent surfaces of the smallnormal siZed scoops into what appears to be a direct abutting engagementwith each other. The actual taper providingclearancefor removing thescoops fronrthedieswould'be extremely slight, These. showings havebeenexaggerated in some figures; as noted above simply to illustrate this;feature. In other words, the showing in the drawing must be regarded asdiagrammatic, both as to the lack of With this construction, all scoopsof the showing. in taper of Figs. 9 and 10. and. the. exaggeratedshowing of taper in Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive.

Considering the chevron-type of scoops, such for example, as shown inFigs. 7 and 11, and noting particularly Fig. 7 of the drawing, it willappear that, when a separating strain is applied to the stringers, forexample, in the direction of the arrows 56, 56, the tendency would be tofurther swing thescoops downwardly in the direction. ofthe arrows 57,57'-, resulting in further tightening the grip between the scoops, thusthe greater the tension to separate the fastener, the tighter the scoopswill hold together,

By reason of the manner of constructing the scoops, dies for producingthe scoops may bepractically and economically made by powder metallurgy,thus materially reducing production costs, particularly when a largenumber of dies are required in production of fasteners of the kind underconsideration. The form of the scoops considered. with respect to theparting line is such as. to provide die cavities which can withstand thepressure re quired in forming powdered metal dies. It will also beapparent that the scoops may be formed of any suitable material and, byreason of the structure of the male and female. couplings provided, astrong and substantial coupling engagement is provided between thescoops. The scoops may be formed individually or in multiples in asinglecasting. operation, depending entirelyupon the process; employed.

Thescoops in the various showings may be said to havehook-shape malecoupling portions, the hooks being directed downwardly and undercutfemale coupling portions or sockets, the bottom walls of the socketshaving upwardly extending ridges. or hook portions interfitting withthehook-shaped male coupling portions of the scoop. With the exception ofthe showing in Figs. 11 and 12, each scoop has male and female couplingportions, both of which are disposed at side portions of the scoop andthe scoops include other interengaging means for retaining the scoopsagainst transverse separation by overlapping parts. of the scoops orproviding other male and female coupling portions.

Considering the scoops of Figs. 1-10 in a little more detail, it isapparent that each scoop is characterized by being integrally formed inone piece. Each scoop of one stringer engages a single scoop on theopposite stringer. The coupling end portion of each scoop has flatuppermost and lowermost urfaces that are parallel. The length of eachscoop is greater than its width and the width is greater than itsheight. Each scoop has at one side of the forward end of the couplingend portion a downwardly turned central projection, an upper recessabove said projection, and a lower recess disposed below the projection(in Fig. 3, for example, note projection 17, upper recess 24, and lowerrecess 18); and each scoop ha s at the other sideof said forward endofthe coupling endportion a central recess extending angularly upwardly.relatively. to said parallel upper and lower scoop surfaces, an upperprojection vertically spaced above the central recess, andanupwardly-turned lower projection vertically spaced below the centralrecess. (in Fig. 3, note. central, recess 20, upper projection 23, andlower projection 22). Oneof; the said upper and lower projections. has aforward edge which extends continuously. across the width of thescoop(note projection 22 inFig. 3 or projection 31 in Fig. 5 ,'for example.Each of the'said recesses opens throughthe ,forward end of the couplingend portion. The.

in er. engage he r ondin r c ssesnd. p aise tionsof a scoop of. the;opposite stringer to couple said;

t ussrsa sli pr id er c s i stp ll-an n at tudinal, and transverseseparation of the coupled scoops.

Also, each said projection and recess of a scoop lies within contourlines defined by the said uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the scoopwhen the latter is viewed in side elevation, and the upper surfaces ofthe coupling end portions of each pair of coupled scoops are parallel tothe lower surfaces thereof.

In Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawing, a female scoop is provided on onestringer and a male scoop on the opposed stringer; whereas, in the otherfigures, the scoops are of the same construction on each stringer.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, each stringercomprising a tape having spaced, integrally formed, one piece scoops diecast thereon, each scoop having a coupling end portion extending fromthe tape edge and a mounting end portion on the tape, the improvementwherein each scoop of one stringer engages a single scoop on theopposite stringer; the coupling end portion of each scoop having flatuppermost and lowermost surfaces that are parallel, the length of eachscoop being greater than its width and the width greater than itsheight; each scoop having at one side of the forward end of the couplingend portion a downwardly'turned central projection and a lower recessdisposed below the projection; each scoop having at the other side ofsaid forward end of the coupling end portion a central recess extendingangularly upwardly relatively to said parallel upper and lower scoopsurfaces, an upper projection vertically spaced above the centralrecess, and an upwardly turned lower projection vertically spaced belowthe central recess, one of said upper and lower projections having aforward edge which extends continuously across the width of said scoop;each of said recesses opening through said forward end of the couplingend portion; said central projection and lower recess of said one sidebeing of substantially the same height as said central recess and lowerprojection, respectively, of said other side; the projections andrecesses of each scoop of one stringer engaging the correspondingrecesses and projections of a scoop of the opposite stringer to couplesaid stringers and to provide interlocks against pull-apart,longitudinal, and transverse separation of the coupled scoops; each saidprojection and recess of a scoop lying within contour lines defined bysaid uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the scoop when the latter isviewed in side elevation, and upper surfaces of the coupling endportions of each pair of coupled scoops being parallel to lower surfacesthereof.

2. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, each stringercomprising a tape having spaced, integrally formed, one piece scoops diecast thereon, each scoop having a coupling end portion extending fromthe tape edge and a mounting end portion on the tape, the improvementwherein each scoop of one stringer engages a single scoop on theopposite stringer; the coupling end portion of each scoop having fiatuppermost and lowermost surfaces that are parallel; each scoop having atone side of the forward end of the coupling end portion a centralprojection and a recess spaced from said projection; each scoop havingat the other side of said forward end of the coupling end portion acentral recess and a pair of vertically spaced projections eachvertically spaced from the central recess, one of said vertically spacedprojections having a forward edge which extends continuously across thewidth of said scoop; each of said recesses opening through said forwardend of the coupling end portion; said central projection of said oneside being of substantially the same height as said central recess ofsaid other side; the projections and recesses of each scoop of onestringer engaging the corresponding recesses and projections of a scoopof the opposite stringer to couple said stringers and to provideinterlocks against pull-apart, longitudinal, and transverse separationof the coupled scoops; each said projection and recess of a scoop lyingwithin contour lines defined by said uppermost and lowermost surfaces ofthe scoop when the latter is viewed in side elevation, and uppersurfaces of the coupling end portions of each pair of coupled scoopsbeing parallel to lower surfaces thereof.

3. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, each stringercomprising a tape having spaced, integrally formed, one piece scoops diecast thereon, each scoop having a coupling end portion extending fromthe tape edge and a mounting end portion on the tape, the improvementwherein each scoop of one stringer engages a single scoop on theopposite stringer; each scoop having at one side of the forward end ofthe coupling end portion a central projection and a recess spaced fromsaid projection; each scoop having at the other side of said forward endof the coupling end portion a central recess and a pair of verticallyspaced projections each vertically spaced from the central recess, oneof said vertically spaced projections having a forward edge whichextends continuously across the width of said scoop; each of saidrecesses opening through said forward end of the coupling end portion;said central projection of said one side being of substantially the sameheight as said central recess of said other side; the projections andrecesses of each scoop of one stringer engaging the correspondingrecesses and projections of a scoop of the opposite stringer to couplesaid stringers and to provide interlocks against pull-apart,longitudinal, and transverse separation of the coupled scoops.

4. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, each stringercomprising a tape having spaced, integrally formed, one piece scoops diecast thereon, each scoop having a coupling end portion extending fromthe tape edge and a mounting end portion on the tape, the improvementwherein each scoop of one stringer engages a single scoop on theopposite stringer; each scoop throughout its length having flatuppermost and lowermost surfaces that are parallel, the length of eachscoop being greater than its width and the width greater than itsheight, each scoop having a generally flat, rectangular form; each scoophaving at one side of the forward end of the coupling end portion adownwardly turned central projection and a lower recess below theprojection; each scoop having at the other side of said forward end ofthe coupling end portion a central recess extending angularly upwardlyrelatively to said parallel upper and lower scoop surfaces, an upperprojection above the central recess, and an upwardly turned lowerprojection below the central recess; each of said recesses openingthrough said forward end of the coupling end portion; said centralprojection of said one side being transversely alined with and ofsubstantially the'same height as said central recess of said other side;the projections and recesses of each scoop of one stringer engaging thecorresponding recesses and projections of a scoop of the oppositestringer to couple said stringers, the central projection of one scoopengaging the central recess and overlapping both the lower and centralprojections of an opposite scoop to provide an interlock againstpull-apart separation and against longitudinal and transverse separationin one direction of the coupled scoops, and the lower projection of saidone scoop engaging the lower recess and overlapping the centralprojection of said opposite scoop to provide a further interlock againstpull-apart separation and an interlock against longitudinal separationin the other direction; each said projection and recess of a scoop lyingwithin contour lines defined by said uppermost and lowermost surfaces ofthe scoop when the latter is viewed in side elevation, and uppersurfaces of each pair of coupled scoops being parallel to lower surfacesthereof throughout the combined lengths of said coupled scoops.

5. The separable fastener of claim 4 in which said lower projection ofsaid one scoop overlaps the lower projection of said opposite scoop toprovide an interlock against transverse separation in the otherdirection.

arsenic) he s pa ab a e e bf a m 4 n hi h s i upper projection of saidone scoop overlaps the upper. projection of-said opposite scooptdprovide'an interlock against transverse separation in the otherdirection.

'7. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, eachstringer comprising a tape having spaced, integrally formed, one piecescoops die cast thereon, each scoop having a coupling end portionextending from the tape edge and a mounting end portion on the tape,theimprovement wherein each scoop of one stringer engages a single scoopon the opposite stringer; each scoop throughout its length having fiatuppermost and lowermost surfaces that are parallel, the length of eachscoop being greater than its width and the width greater than itsheight, each scoop having a generally flat, rectangular form; each scoophaving at one side of the forward end of the coupling end portion a,downwardly turned centralprojection, an upper recess vertically spacedabove said projection, and a lower recess vertically spaced'below theprojection; each scoop having at the other side of said forward end ofthe coupling end portion a central recess extending angularly upwardlyrelatively to said parallel upper and lower scoop surfaces, an upperprojection vertically spaced above the central recess, and an upwardlyturned lower projection vertically spaced below the central recess, saidlower projection having a forward edge which extends continuously acrosssaid scoop and into said one side to partially definev said lowerrecess; each of said recesses opening through said forward end of thecoupling end portion; said upper recess, central projection/and lowerrecess of said one side being transversely alined with and ofsubstantiallythe same height as said upper projection, central recess,and lower projection, respectively, of said other side; the projectionsand recesses of each scoop of one stringer engaging the correspondingrecesses and projections of a scoop of the opposite stringer to couplesaid stringers, the central projection of one scoop engaging the centralrecess and overlapping both the lower and central projections of anopposite scoop to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation andagainst longitudinal and transverse separation in one. direction of thecoupled scoops,-, the upper pro jection of said one scoop extending intothe upper re cess and; overlapping the upper projection of said oppositescoop to provide an interlock against transverse separation in the otherdirection, and the lower projection of said one scoop engaging the lowerrecess and being integrally formed and having a coupling end por tion.and a mounting end portion, the improvement wherein said scoop engages asingle opposed scoop; said scoop having at one side of the forward endof the coupling end portion a central projection. and a recess spacedfrom; said projection; said scoop having; at the.

other side of said forward end of the coupling end portion a centralrecess and a pair of vertically. spaced projections each verticallyspaced from the. central recess, one of said vertically spacedprojections having,

a forward edge which extends continuously across, the

width of said scoop; each of-said recesses opening through said forwardend of the coupling end portion; said central projectionof said one sidebeing of substantially the same height as said central recess of. saidother side.

References Cited in thefileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,219,657 Morin 0a. 29, 1940 2,554,929 Sundback May 29, 1951 FOREIGNPATENTS 265,064. Great Britain. of 1927 548,898 Germany of 1932

